Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
This year my blog posts for the April 2024 A to Z Challenge will be about the recipients of the Dickin Medal, which you can read about here. They are in alphabetical, not chronological order, within the different letters.
Y
Y?
There are
no DM recipients beginning with Y, so Y is being used interrogatively.
Why did Belgian Malinois feature so noticeably in the list of Dickin Medal recipients?
I had the impression that Belgian Malinois outnumbered German Shepherds in the list of DM awards, but I was wrong – nothing unusual there 😉
However, when I looked more closely at the list of dogs, the six Belgian Malinois were all honoured in the 21st century and of the eleven German Shepherds/Alsatians, seven were presented with their DMs in World War II and four in the 21st century.
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
In 1899, a German officer called Max von Stephanitz wanted to generate a reliable, calm working dog that could perform extremely well in several capacities. He cross-bred various herding dogs, seeking out those with good temperaments, intelligence, biddability and physical strength. Gradually, the German Shepherd evolved, and was later developed along two main lines, the Working dogs and Show dogs. The show dogs suffered under the strictures of the breed standard, which resulted in many dogs suffering from spinal problems, because it was considered more pleasing to the eye for the animals to have sloping backs.
From 1st August, 2016, the German Shepherd breed standard was altered to acknowledge that the dogs should be able to stand comfortably, without being supported. Hopefully, we have seen the last of dogs having to use wheels for their hind legs because of poor conformation.
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Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
There are now two distinct coat varieties, the stock or short coat and the long coat. Breeding between the two is not allowed, at least for the show ring!
After the First World War, when sensitivities were acute, the Kennel Club of Great Britain decided in their wisdom that having a dog with ‘German’ in its name was undesirable, so the name was changed to Alsatian Wolf Dog!
During the Second World War the RAVC commonly called German Shepherds Alsatians, but in 1977 the original name of German Shepherd was restored.
The Belgian Malinois originated in Mechelen (called Malines in France) in Antwerp in the Flemish region of Belgium at about the same time as the German Shepherd. Belgian farmers sought herding dogs that would be reliable, versatile and vigilant. The Malinois proved well-suited to the variability of the tasks.
The dogs herded the livestock, anything from ducks and geese to sheep and goats, pulled carts and guarded the farm, with an instinctive understanding of the farm boundaries. They were also fiercely loyal to their owners, and always alert, even inside the farm house.
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Why have Belgian Malinois become so popular in defence work?
German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are both loyal and vigorous, intelligent and agile.
Belgian Malinois are lighter and faster than Alsatians, with tremendous stamina, and more independence. They are more challenging to train than German Shepherds. While a German Shepherd may adapt to (active, not sedentary) family life in retirement, a Belgian Malinois is more energetic and requires much exercise and mental stimulation.
Military dog, German Shepherd Ada, is lifted by her handler after she clamps his arm. She does not release until told to.
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Belgian Malinois are favoured by police and military forces because of their agility and energy, drive and, when required, aggression, though German Shepherds still fulfil a useful rôle and will continue to do so.
All the dogs I ever owned have been German Shepherds or GS mixed with Border Collie. I know some people who still believe Alsatians and German Shepherds are different breeds
ReplyDeleteI remember that time when people insisted they were different breeds. Handsome dogs, but some people are scared of them.
DeleteI would not have guessed that the dog breed I grew up knowing as an Alsatian had its name switched back to German Shepherd as long ago as the year I did my 'A' levels!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
Oh, the things that jog our memories!
ReplyDeleteThe Belgian police has mostly the Malinois dog, here in Waterloo we have nothing else. I have known two in retirement, the muzzle grey during our Facebook meeting "Vivre à Waterloo" and he settled down on my feet ! The daughter of the founder of the Waterloo page is a police woman and had always Malinois, when they died, it was a drama because we all loved these veterans ! The German shepherd is bigger and different, I prefer the Malinois.
ReplyDeleteMalinois are finer-boned than German Shepherds - I like them all:-)
DeleteOh my goodness how those dogs must have suffered for the sake of show vanity. So glad that practice no longer continues. They are handsome dogs just as they are.
ReplyDeleteThe show fraternity has a lot to answer for, in most animals, I think.
DeleteI remember German Shepherds were always known as Alsations when I was growing up - I seem to recall there was a phase of GS's getting a bad press at one time too and as a nervy child I shied away if one was nearby! Probably the Media stirring up trouble......
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
My mother-in-law was always scared of German Shepherds, and then her niece had one, and gradually she overcame her fear.
DeleteCheat!
ReplyDeleteSpot on!
DeleteI didn't know any of this, especially the name change. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hena.
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ReplyDeleteSorry for the delete, I found my brain was not working and had too many typos! My comment was:
ReplyDeleteBrave dogs! I only remember them as Alsatians. My father's colleagues brought their K-9's inside the house often when we were children. It was hard to imagine that these gentle dogs who used to let us climb all over them, were the same dogs we used to gleefully cheer on as the tremendously over-padded 'criminal' was chased across the field and eventually apprehended (this on sports days).
Very interesting article, I have thoroughly enjoyed these.
What a privilege to spend leisure time with such dogs (their leisure time, that is!) I have tremendous respect for the dogs and their handlers.
DeleteI had no idea about any of this, so thank you for another interesting and informative post Janice! xxx
ReplyDeleteI learnt a lot about Malinois:-)
DeleteInteresting and informative post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kelly.
DeleteAn interesting read and wonderful images.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I think working dogs are fascinating. I remember seeing sheepdogs working on the Isle of Skye - it was mesmerising.
DeleteInteresting. I love the photo of Ricky - so adorable!
ReplyDeleteWe used to laugh at the thought of doggles, but they're essential for military working dogs.
ReplyDelete